Polyurethane & Related Foams Chemistry & Technology

Polyurethanes were invented by a German company now known as Bayer AG by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyole. The goal was to circumvent patents held by Dupont for Nylon 66. By selecting various chemical structures among the two, a variety of polyurethane (PUR) products can be obtained: flexible foams, rigid foams, fibers, films, resins, elastomers, coatings, and sealants. Of these products foams has the largest market. Polyurethane foams are used to make automotive seats, upholstered furniture, mattresses, refrigerator and freezer (insulation). Polyisocyanurates (PIRs) are different from PURs in chemical structure and PIR foams have the desirable properties of being thermally stable and fire retardant. As such they are being used increasingly in the building and construction industry. The author's inclusion of this subject is an important sales feature. Production of polyurethane and related foams slowed in the early nineties due to environmental concerns, mostly with the blowing agents necessary to produce them. CFC-11 has been phased out and now HCFC-141b is also being phased out. Significant research dollars are have been spent looking for alternative blowing agents, new raw materials and new methods of processing. As confirmed by the reviewers, PURs and PIRs are now encountering a technical revolution as new blowing agents are developed and new processing methods are analyzed. A highlight feature is that this book addresses these advancements. The competition is too old. The book will open with an introduction to the industry and history of polyurethane production. Then fundamental chemistry and a discussion of materials will follow. Then the author will take each category of foams and discuss new technology regarding preparation and processing methods. A closing chapter addresses latest developments in environmental issues such as safety and pollution.